The Department of Aging will hold public hearings in Centre County, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh during June to discuss the 2012-2016 State Plan on Aging, which defines the strategy and goals for programs and services provided to older Pennsylvanians.

“We have been gathering information throughout the year from strategic planning sessions and focus groups comprised of consumers and subject-matter experts to help develop a plan that meets the needs of our ever growing older adult population,” said Secretary of Aging Brian Duke. “I thank the many people who shared their ideas and experiences that have given us the basis for identifying our goals for the new plan.”

Public review and comments will be used to formulate the department’s final plan, which will be submitted to the federal Administration on Aging in August. The federal government requires states to update these plans every four years.

Dates, times and locations for the hearings are as follows:

• June 18, 2012 – 11 a.m. to noon; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  Penn State University
  Wartik Lab, Room 108
  University Park, PA 16802
   
• June 25, 2012 – 10 a.m. to noon; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  University of Pennsylvania
  Biological Research Building
  Auditoriums 2-3 and Lobby
  421 Curie Blvd.
  Philadelphia, PA 19104
   
• June 28, 2012 – 10 a.m. to noon; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  University of Pittsburgh
  William Pitt Union Ballroom
  3959 Fifth Ave.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Residents, local government officials and interested organizations may submit comments until June 29, 2012. Individuals who wish to offer comments at a public hearing should pre-register.

For people who cannot attend a public hearing, written comments can be mailed to:

David Gingerich, Acting Deputy Secretary
PA Department of Aging
555 Walnut Street, Fifth Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101

For more information on the 2012-2016 State Plan on Aging, please visit the Department of Aging online at www.aging.state.pa.us or call 717-425-5719.